Cell for the precipitation of metals.



Patented :my la, |899.

No. s29,|34.

J. Luce. y CELL FOR'THE PRECIPITATiDN OF'METALS.

(Nov Model.)

5K MI mfc any,

v UNITED ISTATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

JosEEH LUoE, oF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH."

CELL FR THE PRECIPlTATION OF METALS.

sPEcIFIcA'rIoN forming part of Letters Patent No.' 629,134, dated .my 18,71899.

Application filed April l1, 1898.

To all whom, it may concern:

` cells for the precipitation of met-als from their solution by electrolysis; and it consists in a single cell in--whieh the action is continuons and which is provided with means by which the electrolyte can-be given either an up or down movement,combined`with frames whichV have a rotary movement through the electrolyte and to which the cathodes are attached, as Will. be more fully described hereinafter.

The objects of my invention are to provide a single cell Without the use of partitions or strainers of any kind; to locate the anodes` in the bottom of the cell and to so construct them that .theelectrolyte can begiven a constant'fup oridown motion over or through them; to attach the cathodesk to revolving frames, vnot only fonthe purpose of obtaining greater ,cathode andvanode surfaces, but to bring the electrodes 'uniformly and sym metrically opposite each other.; .to keep the elecl' trolyte constantly stirred lup'by means of the frames which carry the' cathodes, and thereby make the action of the electrolyte more' uniform, and to construct la single continuously-operatingcell in which a greater amount .of'work can be'done and with more ease `than has heretofore .been possible.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a vertical section taken through a cell which embodies my invention.' Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a .horizontal'section taken through the cell just above the anodes.

A represents an ordinary circular Wooden Water-tank, which is made Water-tight bythe usual process and is provided' with a thick bottom I). This ytank is Vprovided with a lining of any suitable waterproof material B such as cement, asphaltum, paraftlmor'any other suitable material. Over the waterproof lining is placed Serial No. 677,231. (No model.)

a covering-of thinboards C for the purpose of holding the lining in place, -and these boards have their lowerends to 'catch in a groove D in the bottom Dvand have their upper ends held in position by means of the iron rail P, that is placed on'the top of the tank.

Extending up through the center of the tank is a hard-Wood post E, which has a hole made through its center, and passing through the bottom. of the tank'and theopening in the Icenter of the. post is a clarnping-rod,'the upper endof;Which extends a suitable distance above the post and fori'ns a bearing for the hubG. This bolt Fand post E do not constitute a core and have no mechanical utility in giving a greater steadinessand solidity to the apparatus. They have no effect Whatever as auxiliaries in the distribution of the electric Vcurrent orof the electrolyte nor in the action that theiirst may have upon the second.

Mounted upon the top edge of the tank A is the circular iron rail l?, and mounted upon the top of the bolt Eis the hubof a Wheel, which consists of the spokes H and the rim I. The spokes'H are made of hardwood and serve not only. to connectthe hub G and the rim I, but as supports for the Wooden ring M' andthe cathode-frames. :The rim I is provided at suitable points with vertical grooved rollers J, which travel uponthe rail P, and the outer edge of the rim I is provided with a groove J', so asfto receive a horizontal rotary motion around the bolt F by means of a driving-cord', or other suitable operating device.

, Upon. the top of the spokes H is placed a Wooden ring M, and upon the top of this ring is placed the mainconductorN ot the cathodeelectrode and which receives the current from the trolley O, which is connected with the circuit-Wire V. Y

Secured to each of the spokes 'H is a cathode-electrode U, connected with the main circuit by th conductor N, and which is supported in place by the 'cathode-frames L, which are made of Wood, iron, or any other suitable material. In vaddition to the frames L a series of hangers U' depend from the electrodes U and in which aresupportedthe rods X', and these hangers and rods form sup- IOO ports, upon which are placed, in addition to the frames Il, the cathode-electrodes, either in the shape of metallic plates or other substance, such as cloth, paper, wood, or other material impregnated or lined with metallic compounds, or powders, or graphite, or other substance convenient for precipitation of the material under treatment. Upon these cathode-frames I prefer to use thin foils of the metal that is to be precipitated, these thin foils being held in position by a board or coarse cloth attached and stretched over the frames and to which they adhere by the use of a cement or wax or other sticking material. For copper I use copper-foil, for silver I use silver-foil, and for gold I use gold-foil.

Lto

Upon the bottom D of the tank A is placed a wooden frame Q to support the anodes, which consist of the two slotted sheets of lead R and the carbon blocks S, which are placed between them, the upper sheet resting directly upon the blocks, which in turn rest upon the lower sheet R. These sheets of lead are provided with any desired number of radial slits or slots of any desired width, length, or shape, and the blocks S are placed upon edge and separated sufficiently far to allow the electrolyte to pass freely up and down between them. The lower sheet R is provided with a connection YV, which projects beyond the tank for connection with the general circuit.

Through opposite sides of the tank A, one being located at'the bottom and the other at the top of the tank, are two openings T, through which the electrolyte is made to pass in either direction, according as an up or down movement is desired. Suitable means are applied to opposite outsides of the tank at the openings T for the purpose of forcing the electrolyte back and forth through the openings, as may be desired. By forcing the electrolyte material through the lower opening T it will pass through the upper opening T upon the opposite 'side of the tank, and

then when allowed to iow backthe motion of the material is reversed, and thus a constant up-and-down back-and-forth movement through the tank is or may be kept up. This up or down movement is given to the electrolyte back and forth through the tank in addition to the rotary movement which may be imparted to it by means of the revolving frames L, and hence it will be seen that the electrolyte has a compound movement. The openings allow fresh electrolyte to be added while the cell is in operation and the lower opening allows the electrolyte to be freely drawn off at any time desired.

By my construction I avoid tlie fast destruction of the anodes, protecting them from outside injury or influence, and I obtain a most even and regular work and action between the cathode and anode. I also prevent eddies, whirlpools, or irregular or accidental motion to the solution, which are at all times so detrimental in creating unforseen resistance. I also decrease the cause of accidental currents and precipitate the metals directly upon the cathode plates in solid metallic shape and not in a pulpy or slimy precipitate. The removal of the electrolyte takes place very promptly, kas soon as it has been acted upon by the current and has deposited its quota of metal upon the cathode-plates. The main feature of my invention consists in the helical flow of the electrolyte obtained by the combination of the regular ascending and descending ow of the electrolyte, combined with the circular motion imparted by the cathode-frames. I also obtain a more unlform action in the use of the current, and also a large decrease in the resistance offered by the dissociation of the positive andnegative irons. I also obtain a continuous working process, and consequentlya most'importaut saving in time and manipulation.

By my arrangement of the anodes in the bottom of the cell and causing the cathodes to revolve at a suitable distance above the anodes, thus bringing the parts uniformly and symmetrically opposite each other, there is less risk of accidental currents taking place, and the precipitation of the metals takes place directly upon the cathode-plates in solid metallic shape.

By the use of a wheel and the cathodeframes connected therewith the cathodeframes are supported in position above the anodes and allow the use of any kind of vcathode-electrodes, and the cathode-plates and the electrodes are made independent of the tank, and the tank serves no other purpose than an inclosin g vessel that does not take part in the electrical nor chemical action during the processof electrolysis.

It is not necessary to take apart any portion of the parts of the cell to remove the cathodes when sufficiently loaded withmetal or to put new cathode-plates in position. This cell is adapted to the electro deposition orprecipitation of all metals when they are in the solution in a proper electrolyte. The cell-is complete in itself and does not require any additional machinery or appliances to perform its work, there being no partitions, filters, strainers, or other similar devices between thecathode and the anode. I produce a one-compartment cell and eliminate the most of the resistance to the electric current due to their presence and which is always costly to overcome.

The electrolyte having both a rotary and an up-and-down movement it has free access to all parts of the cell, and the compound movement not only mixes it and gives it more uniformity, but assists in bringing every one of its molecules in contact with the surface of the cathode-plates.

The electrolyte by its helical motion remains in contact with the cathode-plates for a longer period of time than if the cathodeplates were stationary. The openings T upon opposite sides of the tank afford the possi- IOO bility of reversing t-he low of the electrolyte from an upward to a downward motion should,

urgent to get rid as soon as possible of the parts of the electrolyte which have been acted upon by the electric current, and this is one of the principal features of my invention. The ilow of the electrolyte and its velocity can be regulated at will, and the circular and regular motion imparted to the solution without violent action is a cause of economy in v the electric cu rrent eliminating other mechanical force and part of the resistance. The

, surfaces of the cathodes and anodes can be modified at will by adding or suppressing any cathode-plate at any time during the process.

A cell constructed as here shown and described in a small volume can accomplish more work in presenting more cathode and anode surfaces tothe action of the electric current than under other forms of cells, and the work is accelerated.

The whole cell can be opened, taken apart, and cleaned up most easily andv in a very short time can be put Vtogether again in working `order Vwithoutthe use of 'extra labor or machinery.

ss'Y

Having thus described my invention, Ik

claiml. In a cell for the precipitationof metals, a tank, arevolving frame mounted thereon for carrying the cathode, combined with the anode, consisting of two slotted lead plates, one of which is connected with the circuit, a series of carbon blocks placed between them, the cathode elements, and electrical connections, substantially as set forth.

2. In a cell for the precipitation of metals,

` the anode consisting of two slotted lead plates one ofy which is connected with the circuit, a

series of carbon blocks placed b'etween them,

the cathode element and the electrical connections substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH LUCE.

Witnesses:

FRANK H. PEYTON,

BENJAMIN W. JERMANS. 

